Reynolds college reports record fundraising and enrollment growth in Henrico update

J. Sargeant Reynolds Community College President Paula Pando told the Henrico County Board of Supervisors at a March 24 special meeting that the college recorded its largest fundraising year in FY2025 and saw modest enrollment growth.

"This was the largest fundraising year in Reynolds history," Pando said, reporting the college received more than $3 million in private philanthropy and more than $11 million in public grants in FY2025. She also said overall enrollment rose 8% from fall 2024, with an 8% increase in full-time students.

Pando highlighted the college's dual-enrollment and outreach efforts. She said the Advanced College Academies had 102 students at Highland Springs High School and 135 students at J. R. Tucker High School, and that an additional 1,363 Henrico students were enrolled in dual-enrollment courses outside of those academies. The president showed photos from the college's first surgical-technology graduation and from the grand opening of "First Impressions," a program that provides interview clothing to students.

Pando described a student success story: Diaga, a Spring 2022 Reynolds graduate with an engineering degree, transferred to Virginia Commonwealth University and now works as a service engineer at Asset Performance Partners, Inc. She presented that example as part of the college's workforce pathway outcomes.

Board members responded with appreciation and personal connections to the college. Chair Roscoe D. Cooper III thanked Pando for expanding the college's footprint. Supervisor Tyrone E. Nelson noted he graduated from Reynolds before transferring to VCU and that his son attended the Advanced College Academy at Highland Springs. Vice-Chair Misty D. Roundtree commended the college's "standard of excellence." Supervisor Jody K. Rogish asked whether families pay for the advanced college programs; Pando said there is no charge to students or to schools. "It is completely free to Henrico students," she said.

County Manager John A. Vithoulkas thanked Pando for allowing the county Planning Department to host a series of meetings on development of the Best Products campus, a local coordination item noted during the update. No motions or votes were taken during the special meeting, which adjourned at 4:26 p.m.

The update covered fundraising figures, enrollment metrics and program highlights that county officials said they value as part of the college's local workforce and education pipeline.